Saptadipa Das1 , Arindam Datta2
BACKGROUND Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Bacterial infection is the commonest cause of acute exacerbation of COPD. However fungal infections may also play an important role in causing acute exacerbation of COPD. This study was done to find out the prevalence of common fungal infections in COPD as the cause of exacerbation. METHODS We did a cross-sectional study among 50 patients admitted in Tripura Medical College with acute exacerbation of COPD over a period of 6 months from 1st July 2019 to 1st January, 2020. RESULTS Among 50 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, 46% were having fungal isolates in their sputum. Fungal culture of 23 patients showed that 8 were having aspergillosis and 13 were having candida species in their sputum. Sputum of two patients revealed no growth. CONCLUSIONS Fungal infections may cause acute exacerbation of COPD. So, we need to keep in mind the association of fungal pathology in such cases for better management.
